Frequently found buzzing around beer gardens in the summer, the humble bee doesn’t seem like too much of a threat. So you may be surprised that between five and 12 people in the UK die each year from bee, wasp and hornet stings.

Bees and wasps are hard to avoid (especially when the sun comes out), but experts recommend staying indoors when eating and drinking. They also suggest not wearing heavily scented sprays, which the little blighters may mistake for the smell of pollen.

4) Spiders

While it may be a nuisance, the spider crawling round your bathtub is unlikely to cause you immediate harm.

But some common spiders in the UK bite. These include the cellar spider, the woodlouse spider and the false widow spider, the like of which nibbled Mr Pearce. While these bites are painful, and can cause swelling and irritation, they are unlikely to finish you off.

A variety of old wives’ tales suggest ways of repelling spiders, including strewing conkers and walnuts around your house. There’s no harm in adopting this approach, though guests may think you’re just a teeny bit odd.

5) Deer and Cows

Okay, so they’re not what first springs to mind when you think of “dangerous” creatures living in the UK. But hear me out: deer are responsible for up to 70,000 motor vehicle accidents each year, resulting in around 20 deaths. That’s more fatalities than any of the other species referenced in this article.

And cows? Well cows have been known to attack people, and there are several instances where people have been trampled to death. In most cases, cows seem to have attacked dog walkers, so the general consensus is to keep your dog on a lead when walking through a field inhabited by bovines.

So there you have it – maybe the UK isn’t so safe from wildlife-related threats, after all. In most cases, there’s nothing to worry about. But it pays to be aware of the danger, and prepare accordingly.

If in doubt, remain calm, and remember that most of these creatures are more scared of you than you are of them. Treat them with respect and you should be fine.